by Dr. Scott Peak, DynastyLeagueFootball.com

by Dr. Scott Peak, DynastyLeagueFootball.com

Injuries are a huge part of winning and losing each year in fantasy leagues. Staying abreast of the injury situations is key as knowing what to expect from your players health-wise in the short term can help you make educated decisions in managing your team.

Let's get right to the injuries from Week 1.

WR Roddy White, Falcons

White has a high ankle sprain, and the injury originally occurred in the second preseason game on August 15. Though White did not worsen the injury this week, it is worth noting, given his stature in fantasy football and how it has impacted his play. White had just two catches for 19 yards against the Saints, below his usual level of production.

High ankle sprains can be tricky. These injuries can linger and range of recovery is typically two-to-eight weeks for high ankle sprains that are conservatively managed (no surgery). After the game, White admitted this injury might linger for a few more weeks. Given White was injured three weeks ago, expectations for him may need to be tempered until he shows signs of improvement on the field. Julio Jones gets a bump if that's even possible, and Harry Douglas, who had four receptions and 93 yards, could deserve a look in deeper leagues.

RB Jamaal Charles, Chiefs

Charles gave his owners another scare, sustaining a quadriceps injury. He was able to walk off the field, but with a limp. After the game, coach Andy Reid described Charles as "totally fine." Charles did return to the game for two carries before leaving for good, as the Chiefs were far ahead of the Jaguars.

Charles was spotted using an exercise bike on the sidelines, which is good news. Quadriceps contusions (bruise in the muscle) or strains (tears in the muscle or tendon) can take a few weeks to rehabilitate, two weeks for mild contusions or five-to-eight weeks for more severe strains. The mechanism of the injury looked more like a contusion.

This will definitely be important situation to monitor and we'll see how reports filter out this week. Based on Reid's postgame comments, I feel better about Charles, but let's see if he can practice this week. Still, if you haven't picked up Knile Davis yet, that is advised.

WR Danny Amendola, Patriots

Amendola left the game against Buffalo with an aggravation of his previously injured groin. He was able to return and finished with a nice stat line including 10 receptions for 104 yards.

Groin injuries can be unpredictable and can flare up if a player returns too fast. Acute groin injuries can take four-to-eight weeks to heal, but if it becomes a chronic injury, more like six months. Right now, it seems Amendola tweaked his groin a bit, but the Patriots will have to be careful with it. Hopefully it's just an aggravation of the prior injury and Amendola can play with it. He did return and play through it, so that is encouraging.

Julian Edelman is worth a look anyway based on his stat line (seven receptions, 79 yards and two touchdowns), but any Amendola injury would bump up his value. Edelman's injury history makes him hard to rely on long-term, but even a few games with Tom Brady make him worth rostering.

RB La'Rod Stephens-Howling and C Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers

Stephens-Howling ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and his season is done. More importantly, Pouncey ruptured his ACL and medial collateral ligament, and is gone for the year. Pouncey, a three-time Pro Bowl center, is a big loss for the Steelers. Last year, the Steelers finished 26th in rushing and losing Pouncey won't help. Le'Veon Bell owners have more tough news to soak up.

TE Dwayne Allen, Colts

Allen was injured on a play in the third quarter when he jumped up for a tipped pass and landed awkwardly on his right leg. He immediately grabbed his right hip, as if in pain. Allen is scheduled for an MRI. I wonder if a muscle or tendon strain could be an issue, such as a groin, hip flexor or hamstring injury. We will need to wait for updates from the Colts to be sure. Allen said he was "fine" after the game, so hopefully that will be the case.

RB Shane Vereen, Patriots

Vereen sustained a dislocation/fracture in his wrist. The wrist has a complicated anatomy made up of carpal bones - these are tiny bones that interlock, held together by ligaments. Surgery may be done to help improve union of the fracture and facilitate return to play.

Outcomes depend on which bone is fractured or dislocated. Scaphoid bone fractures (68%) may take eight-to-twelve weeks or longer, whereas Triquetral bone fractures (18%) can take as little as three-to-six weeks. Lunate dislocations/fractures (4%) can compress the median nerve, resulting in tingling in the hand/fingers. Vereen did have "numbness," suggesting a nerve was being compressed by the injured bone. Lunate fractures are typically repaired with surgery, and recovery is 8-12 weeks or longer.

Initial estimates have been reported as two or three games, or "a few weeks," and that sounds a bit uncertain. Bottom line, that sounds like the best case scenario; it could easily be longer. The Patriots historically have not provided much detail on injuries, so Vereen owners may need to wait it out. His dynasty value also depends on the site of fracture and whether union of bone is achieved after surgery. Lunate fractures can be associated with arthritis and grip weakness as complications after surgery, so we need to see how this plays out over the coming weeks.

WR Dez Bryant, Cowboys

Bryant sustained a foot injury Sunday night against the Giants and various reports have been a sprained ankle, mid-foot sprain or even the dreaded Lisfranc sprain. An MRI is planned. Cross your fingers. He was able to return to game action and is not in a walking boot, so that is encouraging.

TE Zach Sudfeld, Patriots

Sudfeld pulled a hamstring, and his owners felt the pain with a goose egg in the scoring column. The ability to return to play depends on the grade of injury and can be hard to predict. Rehabilitation can take 2-t0-6 weeks, but sometimes longer (three or more months). Re-injury is 12 to 30%, so it is best to be cautious with hamstring strains and return to play only when the injury has completely healed. Sudfeld is not likely going to help fantasy football owners much for awhile, and his value in 2013 is in question. He is still worth rostering in dynasty based on his preseason performance and potential opportunity in this offense.

QB Tony Romo, Cowboys

Romo took a hard shot to his ribs and initial fears were rib fractures. However, x-rays post-game were negative, so that's reassuring. His dynasty and 2013 value is unchanged since it looks like he will be out there next week.